Railway-gate.



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5.3. SAMPSON.

RAILWAY GATE. APPLICATION FILED APE.24,1907.

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E. E. SAMPSON. RAILWAY GATE,

f APPLIOATIONMLBD A1=1z.24,19o7

Patented 0011.6, 1908.

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n clear, and exact description of the invention,

PATENT onnrcn.

` ELI/IERrnsaMrsoNQoF Lennon` MILLs, ILLINOIS.v

` RAILWAY-GATE.

spcification Letters Patent.

Patented oct. 6, 1908.

Y. "Application filed. Apri124, 1907. Serial No. 369,953.V

To all whom ttf/nay concern; J

Be it known that I, ELMER E. SAMIsoN, a citizen offthe United States, residing at London Mills, inthe county 'of Fulton, State of Illinois, have invented certain new` andl useful lmprovementsin Railway-Gates.; and I do hereby declare the following togbe a full,

such as willenable others skilled'in the art to which it` appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates :to new andv useful improvements in railway gates, and it'has particular reference `to railway gates of that type which are automatically operated by the approachof a train lfromeither direction, means being included forA restoring the gates and the parts associatedtherewith to initial or normal position after each actuation thereof, as the train movesaway from the Vcrossing or other place `Where thejgatesare placed. .e e l More particularlyV theinvention comprises gates which bridge the track rails and gates which bridge the crossing. The track rail gates serve intheir normal position as cattle guards and as a'meansfor preventing persons from carelessly walking betweenithef rails upon which'a train is, moving. Y. Aside trom `this function theyare employed conjunctively with the crossing gates, and during the passage of a train over thev crossing serve, with the crossinggates to close said crossing. These track rail gates are also op-l erable in the` event of the crossing gates becoming out of order Vor inoperativefrom any cause. r

ln connection with the crossing gatesand the track rail gatesthe invention resides in the provision of novel actuating means comprising `members which are supported, preferably from theinner sides of the track rails,`

and elements connectingfsaidV members with the operating mechanisms ofthe track rail and crossing gates. novel construction and arrangement "and their action upon the gate operating mechanisms is gradual or step by step, whereby sudden shocksor vibrations of the gate and-,their associated; connections in operation, willbe eliminated, or reduced to a minimum. y

provide track rail gates ofnovel 'construction Such'felements are of obstructions, which may accumulate upon i the tracks.

If/travolta the invention aims to provide a novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, the details of which will appear in the course of the following description, inwhich reference is had toV theaccompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, like characters of reference dese ignating similar parts throughout the several views, wherein:

Figure 1 is av plan viewof the gates and the gate operating mechanisms together with the tracks` at thecrossing, which as shown, is of ythe street grade type.` Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the-tracks together with the operating elements ata distance from the crossin the arrangement being duplicated at eac side thereof. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of one lof the crossing gates of which four are preferably employed and are arranged in coper- `ating pairs which brid e the tracks at each side of the crossing. ig. 4 is a top plan view of such gate. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detailed side elevation looking at the inner side ofrone ofthe crossing gates showing the connections for operating the same and the mechanical connections for sounding an alarm. Fig. 6 is an end elevation of. such gate. Fig. 7 is a detailed perspective view showing the members or elements of the connections between'the track members and the gate operating mechanism, in their detached relation. Fig. 8 is an enlarged plan view of the operativeconnections between the track members andthe connecting elements. Fig. 9` is an enlarged plan view of connectionsf mounted adjacent the crossing gates and on the inner sides thereof for sustaining the latter in position to clear the track during the passage of aitrain over the crossing and while the otherV elements of the gate controlling mechanism are dead in so far as their operative influenceis concerned.` Fig. 10 is avertical section on the line 10-10 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrow and showing the mount for the track railgate, whereby the latter may swing to either side in clearing obstrwuctions as indicated by the dotted lines. Figslgll and 12 are fragmentary top plan and transverse sectional views of a modified emi The Invention aims as Va furtherobj'ectto -Zbodiment of theyinvention, residing more particularly I in a; Vdisengageable cushioning connection-between the elements which oper- 'atethecrossing gates. Fig. 13 is a fragmentary detail view of the yoke of the cushioning connection.

Referring specifically to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 designates the track rails and the numeral 2 designates generally the crossing. The rails 1 are connected by the usual cross ties 3 which may be of wood or other suitable construction ordinarily employed in railroad engineering. Supplemental ties 4 are provided at the crossing 2, which project considerably on either side of the rails. At the ends of the ties 4 are vertical posts 5 upon which are ivoted the crossing gates 6, the latter having vertical swinging movement and carrying below their pivots the usual counter'balance weights 7. Between the respective rails 1 and the posts 5, vertical posts 3 are mounted, the latter carrying upper and lower inwardly projecting brackets 9, which serve as bearings for vertical rock shafts 10 carrying at their upper ends visual signals 11, of usual construction.

The track rail gates are designated generally by the numeral 12, and are counterparts in construction. Each of said gates comprises a rectangular frame 13, preferably constructed of angle iron for the purposes of strength and inexpensiveness and including a centrally located vertical reinforcing bar 14, which extends in parallelism to the side bars 15 of said frame. The frame 13 is formed to support a wire filling 16 of conventional type which is strong enough to serve as a cattle guard, three strand wire being preferably employed. Each shaft 10 is formed adjacent its lower end with a collar 17 upon which is supported an auxiliary frame 18, the latter being of nearly triangular shape and includn ing a horizontal top bar 1Q which extends on each side of said frame and has its front portion shaped to afford a pintle 20. The pintle 2() is projected loosely through the adjacent end bar 15 and through the reinforcing bar 14 and in such disposition affords a horizon tal pivot for the gate 12, whereby the latter may swing in either direction to clear obstructions as previously intimated and as shown more particularly by the dotted lines of Fig. 10, such swinging movement being effected by the pressure of the obstruction upon the gate, the latter returning to normal position in a vertical plane by gravity after it has cleared the obstruction. Positive means are also provided for accomplishing this last named action, and incidentally for cushioning the swinging movement of the gate, such means specifically comprising a retractile coil spring 21 having its upper end engaged with a pin 22 carried by the adjacent bar 15 and having its lower end engaged with a pin 23 carried by the base of the frame 18. The shaft 10 is projected loosely through the upper and lower bars of said frame 1S and operates the gate in its movement to close the crossing and clear the track by virtue of resilient cushioning connections. lith this object in view the shaft 10 carries adjacent its upper end a fast two armed lever 24. The bar 19 above referred to carries at its rear end an upwardly extending headed pin 25 and two retractile coil springs 26 have their rear ends engaged with the pin 25 and their front ends engaged with the respective arms of the lever 24. In like manner the pintle 20 is formed adjacent its front end with a headed pin 27, with which are engaged the front ends of respective retractile coil springs 28, the latter having their rear ends engaged with respective links 29, which are in turn pivotally connected to the respective arms of the lever 24. The shaft 1() is formed at its lower end with a fast laterally projecting lever 30 which has connection with the gate operating mechanism to be more fully described hereinafter.

As previously noted, sudden shocks and vibrations are eliminated during the action of the gate by reason of the provision of the step by step operating mechanism. 'l his result is promoted by the provision of the. springs 26 and 2S, which serve as resilient connections between thc shafts 1() and thc respective gates 12 whereby the latter are swung in the performance of their functions upon rocking movement of the former. It is also to be noted that with the gates 12 in either of their extreme positions, the operating mechanism will not become deranged should a vehicle or other object strike said gates with force, this advantage being obtained by virtue of the yielding nature of the connecting elements 26 and 28.

As noted in the introduction, the inv ention` aside from the novel construction of track gates above described, resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of correlated parts constituting the gate operating mechanism. Such mechanism comprises essentially members 31 arranged in parallelism to the respective rails 1 and constructed of sections 31, rigidly connected as a series by bolts or other appro-.fed fastening means 32. rThe members 31 are .likewise connected to brackets 33, carried at rela tively opposite sides upon respective cross links 34, the latter being arranged on each side of the several ties 3, and at their ends having pivotal connection with the alined arms of T levers, the latter being pivoted at the junction of their arms as at 35 to the ends of the respective ties. Any number of such levers may be employed along one side of the track and inasmuch as some of them dii'l'er in funetion as a series from the others as a series, different numerals wil be employed to distinguish the different series. Aecordingfy the threeT levers at the end of the entire series as shown in Fig. 2 are designated by the numeral 36, their alined arms by the nuarm 49.

connection with a link. 50 which likewisel meral 36 and their angular arms by the nu`4 by the numerals 40, 41 and`42 inaccordance j as they correspond withthe respective levers sesvandss. i w Y,

At this point it isthought` best to` describe the gate operating mechanism and later on to describethe connectionsbetween thelevers above noted and such mechanism. The gate operating mechanism` is duplicated Vat each sideof the crossing and comprises essentially a prime lever 431which is pivoted at 44 centrally or, to be more exact, between the ends ofa` strap 45, thelatter having one end iiXedasat 46 tothe adjacent member 31 at one side thereof and at itsother end being formed with a slot 47'through which` isengaged a pin 48 carried upon the adjacent tie 3. The pin 48 serves to center and guide the strap when the latter is moved with the member 31 to which it is connected. The lever 43 forms a common element of two mechanisms, the. one being employed to ope crate the track gates"V and to complete the operation of the crossing gates when the train 'lirst `enters the block defined by the gate operating mechanism, and the other being employed t0 sonslibintheseveral gates in the positions to which'fthey have been previously moved asthetrain approaches, such,

last" named mechanism including elements coperating with the lever 43 land to be hereinafter described The connections for operating thelever 43ffrom the extreme ends of the block are constituted ofa T leverAQ piv#` oted to a tie 3.a.t one side ofthe crossing `2 and comprising ,alined varms 49 .and an :angular The angular arm 49 has `pivotal pivotedat51 to the lever 43 adjacent theinner end thereof, thev pivot51 also serving as a pivotal connection-for a link 52 ysimilar to the` link and having its end pivotally engaged with a ,bell crank klever 53 pivotallymounted as at 54 upon the same tie3 which carries the lever 49.

the lever 30 carried upon the lower end of virtue of connection with the link 61.

the shaft 10. The levers 53 are on opposite sides of the crossing as well as of the track and each is connected to its respective lever 49 by a link 61. By virtue of this arrangement operation of either of the levers 49 will operate the other lever 4 9, and the levers 53 together with the parts associated therewith. Thelinks connect each respective lever 43 with a gate `12 at the adjacent side of the crossing. For the urpose of connecting each lever 43 with t e gate 12 at the n.other sideof the track, a two` armed lever 62 is provided which is pivoted as at 63 to a strap 64 gaged with the lever 43 by means of a connecting link 65 and its other end operatively engaged with the arm 30 of the other gate 12 by a connecting link 66. The gates 6` are `operated in corresponding pairs at each side of the track by virtue of connections with proj eating from the other tie 4.

VThe lever 67 operates the gates 6 on each side thereof, and accordingly has connection by means of links 72 and 73, with oppositely arranged bell crank levers 74 and 7 5, pivoted upon the posts 5 and having their projecting angular ends connected by links 76 with the gates 6 above the pivots thereof. The link 72 'acts upon the lever 74 to 'lower the gates 6 connected therewith by a pulling action, and thelink 73 operates the lever 75 to lower the gates 6 connected therewith by a pushing action. The link 72 is designed to operate the gates at the other side of the crossing, and to this end is formed with an enlargement having a longitudinal slot 77. A bell cranklever '718 is pivotally mounted upon the tie 4, adjacent the link 72 and has a pin 78 engaged through the slot 77, the said lever 78 beingconnected by a link 79 with the inner end oftheT lever 68. The latter is connected by Vlinks 72 and 73 corresponding to the links 72and 73 with the respective gates 6in the, mannerv above noted. The link 79 is moved from the right hand side of the track looking at Fig. 1 by the lever 78, but it is `moved from theleft hand side of the track ly o this end the link 61 is formed with a head or lug` `80 which engages the angular offset end 81 of a Iconnecting strap 82, the other end of whichis similarly offset as at 813, the ends 81 and 83 surrounding the respective links 61 and7 9. `The link 79` is likewise formed with a bead or lug 84 and an eX ansive coil spring 85 isinter osed between the end 83 and the head 84, t ie spring 85 serving as a cushioning element to prevent the shocks or vibrations betweenthe links 79- and 61 in the operation tion by a counterbalance weight 36 carried on the elongated projecting end of a bell crank lever 87, pivoted upon one of the ties 3 at the left hand side of the crossing as viewed from Fig. 1 and connected with the adjacent lever 43 by slidably engaged links 38, be-

tween which the cushioning spring 39 is interposed, to absorb vibrations incident upon the sudden movement of the lever S7 and weight 86 in their function.

It will be noted that a gap occurs between the operating elements at the crossing 2, and for the purpose of sustaining said elements in the positions to which they have previously been moved upon the approach of the train towards either side of said crossing, operative connections are interposed between one of the members31 and the adjacent link 61. To this end said link 61 is formed at determinate points with enlargements having longitudinal slots 90, in which are engaged pins 91 provided upon the angular arm 92 of a T lever 92, two of such levers being employed and arranged so that their arms 92 point inwardly towards the rails. Links 93 have their ends pivoted at the ends of the alined arms 92, of the levers 92, and lto the ends of -two armed levers 94, pivotally mounted upon the other ends of the ties 3 which carry the levers 92. The links 93 are similar in construction to the links 34 and are formed with brackets 95 which contact with the members 31 at each side of the track for limiting the movement of the links 93. For the purpose of holding the members 31 in intimate relation to the adjacent rails 1, springs 96 are employed. As shown, said springs are of the retractile coil type and are engaged with said rails and with the links 93 and with certain ones of the links 34, but it is obvious that other forms of springs may be used and that the arrangement may be correspondingly varied.

It has been previously stated that an alarm is sounded when the gates 6 are initially operated. Jith this object in view a clock mechanism 97 is mounted on one of the posts 5, and serves to ring a gong 93, by means of a vibrating tapper 99, the mechanism 97 being preferably inclosed in a housing 100 which protects the working parts thereof, from dust and from the influences of the elements. The clock mechanism includes a star ratchet wheel 101 mounted on the prime shaft 102, movement of the ratchet wheel in the direction of the arrow serving to operate the gear train of the clock mechanism and to sound the alarm. For the purpose of rotating the wheel 101 and operating the clock mechanism, a pawl 103 is provided, which is formed to ride loosely over the points of the wheel 101 and which has a working end 104. The pawl 103 at its rear end is pivoted as at 105 to one arm of a bell crank lever 106 which is pivoted as at 107 upon the post 5 which carries the clock mechanism. The lever 106 is operatively connected with the lever 74 by a link 106 whereby movement of the lever 74 in the performance of its function., will move the pawl 103. It will be apparent that when the gates 6 swing to their open positions, the lever 74 will move in a reverse direction and will reset the pawl 103 upon the next tooth of the wheel 101 for a further operation.

lt has been previously stated that the crossing gates are started in their movement to close the crossing upon the entrance of the train into the block and that such starting movement is accomplished with a gradual or step-by-step actuation of the parts. The levers 36 and 37 are employed to eilect this, The step-by-step action depends upon the novel construction of connecting elements and upon the proportions of the T levers. Accordingly, the following arbitrary proportions have been adopted as an example of the mode of operation, but it is to be understood that such proportions are by no means iinal and that other proportions which may be found advantageous in use may be employed instead of those herein stated. T he extreme T lever 36 has its angular arm 36 working at a distance of one inch from its pivot, and it is assumed that its angular arms 36 work at a distance of two inches from its pivot. The second T lever 36 as well as the third have their angular arms 36 working at a distance of an inch and a half from their pivots, the proportions of the arms 36 being the same as noted in the foregoing instance. The operative connections between the T levers 36 and the prime lever 67 are constituted of links 109 which are counterparts in construction with the exception of the end link, which terminates at its outer extremity in an eye 109 surrounding a pin 110, on the adjacent lever 36. Similar pins are provided on the remaining levers 36, and a pin 110, corresponding in function to the pins 110 is provided on the extreme end of the arm 37..

As shown more particularly in Figs. 2 and 7, each link 109 is formed at its left hand end with an enlargement having a longitudinal slot 111 and at its righth and end with an enlargement having a longitudinal slot 112, the slots 112 being of less length than the slots 111. A pin 113 is provided at the left hand end of each slot 112, and is preferably curved angularly as at 114, to prevent displacement ef the parts. The slots 111 and 112 at the adjacent ends of the links 109 register and are engaged over the pins .11() and 110. It will of course be apparent that the eye 109 takes the place of the slot 112 upon the end link 109.

The level' 37 is operatveiy eonnectedwitii deprime leverl 67 by a rod or wire 115V whichv has itsv outer end'l fiattened and formedwith a slot 112and with a pin 113, similarin construction and,

its wheel flanges press themembers 31 outwardly, thatthe links 34 willbe successively' moved to impart partial rotation to the` levers 36 and 37. Movement of the first llever 36, will start the movement of the links:

109 as a series and, throughthemedium of the rod orwire 115 will actuate `the lever 67 to operate the gate throwing mechanisms, to be more exact the mechanism forthrowing the crossing gate. Movement of the second lever 36 advances the links 109 and rod V`orl wire 115, to further actuate the gate throwing mechanism and movementk of the third lever 36 andthelever 37 sustains the linksV 109, and the rod or wire 115at the` positions to which they havebeen previously moved,

such step-by-step operation beingpossible by virtueof the novel formation and assemblage of the links and of the proportions of the levers coperating therewith. As the crossing gates are lowered the. alarm above described is sounded. As the train a proaclies the crossing, the movement i of t e ates 6 is completed by the operationofthe evers 43, 53,and the links 61 and 79 operatively connected vby the strap 82 in themanner above detaile i It will be apparent that the. number of links 109 may be increased as desired, and that .other levers similar to the lever 37 may be employed forsustainingthe crossing gates in their partially lowered positions. The lever 37y is provided at adistanceof, forex.- ample, one inch from its pivot 35`with apin 116 over whichis engaged the eye 117 Vof an end link 117, of whicha plurality are employed, the links 117 'being counterparts in construction and arrangement tothe links 109 so that a detailed description thereof is unnecessary. The links 117 areengaged over ins 116 provided upon the levers 38y and t e end link 117 is lengaged with a piny 118 upon the outer end of the projecting arm 49 of the lever 49. It will thus `beseen that the links 117 aifordstep-by-step connections for operating the gates 12 through the mechanism described successively from the levers 37 and 38. Such operation is started with n the lever 37, the pin 11.6being disposed as above noted at theV distance of an inch'from the pivot 35and is continuedbyl the second and third levers 38, which-have theirpins 116 disposedrespectively at. successive distances of an inchand a half' and two inches from their pivots 35, so as to multiply ltheV leverage j crossing conjunctively with the gates 6.

employed onlyup to the third lever 38. For the'purpose of increasing or multiplying the movement of thelevers 38 beyondthe third lever, as shown in Fig. 2, the remaining levers havetheir arms 38 successively shortened, whereby the result outlined above is successfully attained. One of the links 117 at a short distance from the crossing 2 has its pin engaged with a supplemental link 119, the latter being constituted of slidably connected sections, betweenwhich a cushioning spring 120 isinterposed. v The link 119 has its other end engaged with the projecting arm of a bell crank lever 121 mounted on'the adjacent tie 3, said lever having its other arm elongated' and equipped with a counterbalancing weight` 122, the function of which is to restore or resetthe links 117 to normal position after the :train has passed out of the block, and `to prevent the too sudden action of the links when the train is moving at excessively hi h speed.

\ n the modified embodiment of the inventionillustrated in Figs. 11 and 12, the departure resides in the connection between the links 61 and 79 and more particularly in the `construction of the strap and in the employment inconnection therewith of novel actuating `elements for disengaging the strap fromthe link. 79 to permit of the gates 6 `being opened just as soon as a train passes,

or while it is passing over the crossing 2. The strap is designated by the numeral 82. and `has an offset end 81 .which is engaged with the link 61 in the manner previously described. 4 The other end of the stra 82 is formed with a depending yoke 83 w ich is formed to overlie the link 79 and to engage a lug or stop 83 and ymove said link upon movement of the link 61 in the manner previously noted. The strap 82 is formed beyondthe yoke 83 with an inclined projection 82 affording a cam, and which coperates with a ivoted bell crank lever 123. The lever 123 as one of its ends free for enotherend pivotally connected to a link 124 ,having an angular portion 125 iXed to the "adjacent member 31.

In operation, the train enters the block and the flanges of the wheels engage between *the rails 1 and the adjacent members 31,

forcing the latter outwardly and by virtue of thelinks'109, loweringY the gates 6 to a half closed position;` Further movement of the train through the medium of the links 117 and the connections described operates the gates ,12 to clear the tracks and close tlIie n the event of the links 117 becoming out of order, the gates 12 will be suddenly operated as the train approaches the crossing through themedium of the links 55 engaged with the levers 43 at each side of the crossing, As the train recedes, the counterbalances 86,

122, and the springs 96, restore the parts to normal position. lt will be apparent that in the modified embodiment of connection shown in Figs. ll and 12, when the member 3l at one side of the track is moved away from the rail adjacent thereto, the strap S2 will be engaged with the link 79, but when the member 3]. moves toward the track under the pressure of the springs 96, the strap 82 will be disengaged from the link 79 and the counterbalances 7 will open the gates 6, at which time the system as an entirety will be restored to normal position whereby the yoke 83 will overhang the rear end of the stop S3". The cushioning spring designated 85 surrounds the link 6l and bears against a stop collar 85 and against the end 81/ which is loosely slidable on said link. The position of the lever 123 is such that in the normal position of parts it will be engaged with the projection 82 to hold the strap S2 out of engagement with the link 79, but such engagement is effected as soon as the link 61 commences its operative movement, the proj ection 82 moving with relation to the lever 123 until the yoke 83 is engaged with the link 79, in the manner described.

The invention is susceptible of manifold variations and modifications, and accordingly it will be understood that the disclosure herein contained is to be regarded in the light of example. The parts may be materially varied from the arrangement shown in accordance with the conditions of use, an example being as when mounting the associated parts with relation to curved tracks.

The system as a whole is comparatively inexpensive to manufacture, simple in construction, and highly practical and efficient in use.

What is claimed is:

l. In an apparatus of the type set forth, the combination with train operated gate actuating means of a vertical rock shaft, operatively connected with said means, a gate having portions of its frame looselysurrounding said roek shaft, and projecting on each side thereof, and resilient connections between said shaft, and the projecting portions of said gate on each side thereof.

2. In an apparatus of the type set forth, the combination with train operated gate actuating means of a vertical rock shaft, operatively connected with said means, a gate having portions of its frame loosely surrounding said rock shaft, and projecting on each side thereof, and retractile coil springs secured in oppositely disposed pairs to said shaft and to said projecting portions of said frame on each side thereof.

3. In an apparatus of the type set forth, the combination with a vertical gate shaft and its o erating means, of a frame carried upon sai shaft, and including a horizontally projecting pintle, and a gate including a frame having portions thereof loosely sur-` rounding said pintle as a pivot.

l. ln an apparatus of the type set forth, the combination with a vertical gate shaft and its operating means, of a frame carried upon said shaft, and. including a horizontally projecting pintle, a gate including a frame having portions thereof surrounding said pintle as a pivot and resilient coi'inectionshetween said first and second named frames.

5. In an apparatus of the type set forth, the combination with a vertical gate shaft and its operating means, of a frame carried upon said shaft and. including` a horizontally projecting pintle, a gate including a frame having portions thereof surrounding said pintle as a pivot, and a retractile coil spring having its ends engaged with said respective frames.

6. In an apparatus of the type set forth, the combination with track rails, a crossing, crossing gates, track gates, means for normally holding said crossing and track gates in respectively open and closed positions, and train actuated members, of gate operating mechanisms arranged at each side of said crossing, and comprising prime levers, operative connections between said prime levers and said train actuated members, said connections including a slidable link, operative connections between said prime levers and said track rail gates, mechanism for operating said crossing gates, and operative connection between said slidable links and said last named mechanism.

7. In an apparatus of the type set forth, the combination with track rails and a crossing, of track gates including projecting arms, arranged on each side of said crossing and mounted for horizontal swinging movement, train actuated members, prime levers arranged on each side of said crossing, operative connections between said members and said prime levers, links directly connecting each of said prime levers, with one of said gates on the side of the crossing adjacent thereto, a two armed lever pivoted between its ends, a link connecting said prime lever` with one end of said two-armed. lever, and a link connecting the other end of said twoarmed lever with the other of said gates on the side of the crossing adjacent thereto.

S. In an apparatus of the type set forth, the combination with track rails and a crossing, of track rail gates, operating mechanism therefor, train actuated members mounted adjacent to said track rails, a plurality of slidably connected elements interposed between said train actuated members and said operating mechanism and means for successively moving each of said members to impart a successive step-by-step operation to said operating mechanism.

9. ln an apparatus of the type set forth, the combination with track rails and a crossing', of track rail gates, crossing gates7` means for operating said track rail gates to clear said track rails, means for operating said crossmg gates to closesaidV crossing,V trainV actuated members mounted adjacent to said trackrai1s, a plurality'of slidably'connected elements engaged Withsaid track rail gate operating means7 aplurality ofslidably connected elements engaged 'with vsaid'frossing gate operating means .and connections between said train actuated members 'andy both series of said slidably connectedelementsfor successively moving each VVof said members in its respective series to impart .a .successive step-by-step operation to said respective operating means. l

10. In an apparatus of the typelset forth, the combination With a crossingand crossingV gates, of operatingmechanism for said gates including a slidable element, allsecond slid-l lgage said connection and in such engagement y to disengage the same from said first slidable element and to permit of movement thereof uponv the restoration of the gates to normal position, independently ofsaid second slide able'element. r

In testimony whereof, I afIiX my signature, in presence of tWo Witnesses.

e ELMER E. SAMPSON. 'i Witnesses:

` S. R. BRA'FIAN,`

GEO. H. CHANDLER. 

